BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz authorities say they have detained and charged three leading members of the People's Parliament movement.

The State Committee for National Security said on May 12 that the three suspects had been charged with plotting to “forcibly overthrow the government."

Source close to law enforcement agencies in Bishkek and eyewitnesses told RFE/RL that the suspects are the movement's leader, Bekbolot Talgarbekov, and his associates Torobai Kolubaev and Marat Sultanov.

The politicians were detained after police searched their homes following a session of the People's Parliament in Bishkek on May 12.

At the meeting, the members of the movement publicly warned they would organize mass protests if President Almazbek Atambaev refuses to resign by May 17.